Prison privatization

No matter how private companies profit from prisons—detaining immigrants, needlessly expanding capacity, cutting quality—privatizing incarceration puts the pursuit of profits ahead of the needs of taxpayers, prisoners, and prison employees. Yet many states and the federal government continue to rely on private companies to manage their prisons. As a step toward ending mass incarceration, AFSC works to document the conditions of private prisons and to stop the privatization of prisons, jails, and detention centers.

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Resources and reports-

Detailing the safety, quality, and cost of private prisons in Arizona, this is the first-ever systematic study of all for-profit prisons operating in the state. Released in February 2012, this report reveals widespread and persistent problems in private facilities around safety, lack of accountability, and cost.

Pushing back on privatization-

In 2012, New Hampshire’s corrections department invited for-profit corporations to submit proposals to operate the state’s prisons. In response, AFSC and allies launched a statewide education campaign about for-profit prisons, which are associated with high levels of violence and reduced labor standards.

On Friday, March 28, 2014, Arizona Rep. John Kavanagh attempted to give the private for-profit prison company GEO Group a cool $900,000 handout in the Arizona state budget on top of the $45 million they already receive in state contracts.

This year, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the world's largest for-profit prison corporation, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. CCA pioneered the practice of incarcerating people for money, which has now ballooned into a multi-billion dollar industry.

Privatizing prisons carries a high cost for prisoners and society, says Natalie Holbrook, who directs AFSC's Criminal Justice Program in Michigan. Listen to this radio interview in which Natalie explains why the humane treatment of prisoners is important and why releasing eligible people is the best way to cut prison costs.

California Governor Jerry Brown announced his plan to raid budget reserves meant to restore anti-poverty programs for more prison expansion. He wants to spend $315 million immediately, and billions over the next five years building and leasing prisons.

Related issues-

The incarceration rate in the U.S. is the highest in the world, with over 2.4 million people currently behind bars.AFSC works to end mass incarceration, improve conditions, stop privatization, and promote a reconciliation and healing approach to criminal justice issues.

Incarceration negatively impacts people on both sides of prison, jail, and detention center walls. AFSC works to ameliorate these conditions and to lift up the stories of resilience, perseverance, and resistance from people living behind bars.

The U.S. deports over 300,000 people annually and holds approximately 400,000 people in immigrant detention facilities across the country at an annual cost of over $2 billion.

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has offices around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.